DeGrand always has had a tendency to view situations from multiple perspectives. Often teased about making valid points on both sides of an argument, DeGrand has relied on this ability to diffuse difficult situations with employees and build trust across all of the departments in her role.

“I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, the ones who intentionally manipulate a situation can make it harder to trust people,” DeGrand says.

Always committed to improving the lives of her coworkers, DeGrand started Capital’s wellness plan three years ago. Under the supervision of another team member, the program has grown to more than 90% employee engagement. DeGrand has leveraged the plan’s success to negotiate lower medical insurance rate increases two years in a row.

‘It’s worth so much more to have built a positive relationship with that employee.’

“She immersed herself into the details of the plan so that she would be able to help other employees,” says Patti Bani, chief culture officer at Capital. “It’s Stephanie’s attitude that makes her a rock star.”

“Whether it’s battling with a medical insurance issue or helping a supervisor with a tense situation at their branch, I love that I have the opportunity to pay it forward to honor the people who have done the same for me in my life,” she says.

DeGrand’s currently creating a database of employee feedback, using exit interviews, transfer interviews, and survey results to track trends and employee experiences at Capital.

She goes above and beyond to ensure each employee interaction is a positive experience.

“At the end of the day, it’s worth so much more to have built a positive relationship with that employee than it is to have a clean desk,” DeGrand says. “It’s such a great feeling to be proud of where you work.”

Who should be the 2019 Credit Union Hero of the Year?

Champion of America’s Credit Unions

Credit Union National Association is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.